Means for preventing wear of socks and stockings



June 21, 1932. J PARSONS 1,864,465

MEANS FOR PREVENTING WEAR OF SOCKS AND STOCKINGS Filed Dec. 5, 1929 Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN PARSONS, F COVENTRY, ENGLAND Application filed December 3, 1929, Serial No. 411,349, and in Great Britain December 11, 1928.

This invention has for its object to devise simple and efiective means for preventing the wear upon the feet of socks or stockings due to friction between such and the inner surface of the boot, shoe or slipper adapted to be worn over the sock or stocking foot so as to present a wear-resisting surface to the inner surface of the boot or shoe comprising separate toe and heel parts united together by m elastic or other resilient material so that the protector is adapted to suit various sizes of eet.

According to one form of the invention, straps of elastic or other resilient material unite the toe and heel parts.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of my invention and Figure 2 illustrates a detail.

In carrying my invention into effect in one convenient manner I form my improved device with toe and heel port-ions a, b suitably united together by elastic c or like resilient fabric, the device being formed from some thin, llght, strong material such as aeroplane cloth, balloon fabric or the like in order that while it may not in any way incommode the wearer it will yet present a strong wear-resisting surface to resist the rub of the inner surface of the boot, shoe or slip er, so that when worn over the sock or stocfiing foot it will completely protect the latter from wear due to friction.

In some cases the toe and heel portions may be formed from different materials, while I may also provide the heel part with a metal or other strengthening insert and the heel part and/or insert may, if desired, be arranged to project slightly above the top of the shoe.

When elastic straps or the like are employed to connect the two parts, such straps may be made to be adjustable (as by the watch strap type of device (1) so as to enable the de- 45 vice to be adjusted for different sizes of foot and also to facilitate renewal of any part which may wear before the other parts.

An elastic band e has one side ed e secured as by stitches to the peripheral ed ge of the toe portion a the purpose being to smoothly and snugly hold the toe portion a.

The shape of the wear-resisting member or of the toe and heel portions comprising the same may be suitably chosen so that the whole of the device may be entirely concealed 5.1 within the boot, shoe or slipper in order not to present any unsightly external appearance while at the same time completely fulfilling its function as a protector for the foot of the sock or stocking. In some cases, howso ever, it may be desirable, as indicated above, to extend the heel portion to a point above the top of the shoe as this is often the point where wear takes place.

While in the foregoing description aeroplane cloth and balloon fabric have been referred to as examples of suitable material from which the device may be formed, it will be understood that any other suitable fabric or material may be employed for the pur- 7 pose. 7 Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A shield or protector adapted to be worn over a sock or stocking foot so as to present a wear-resisting surface to the inner surface of the boot or shoe comprising toe and heel portions formed of thin strong material, an elastic band having one side edge secured to so the peripheral edge of the toe portion so as to smoothly and snugly hold the said portion into position, and elastic straps connecting the toe and heel portions together. said elastic straps being connected at one end to the said 35 elastic band on the toe portion.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN PARSONS. 

